Research

Results of a 2013 Massey University study show that the exercises we teach at Jumping Beans help prevent injury from falls at a crucial time of life when infants are developing mobility. The study shows a link between attending Jumping Beans classes and the development of balance/safety skills in 1 yr olds. A summary of the study can be seen by clicking 'Read More'.

Why Physical Education is Most Important in the Early Childhood

Research shows that early childhood physical education improves more than just physical wellness, but it also assists and improves mental and emotional developments. Physical education can not only help them fight the obesity, but it can also strengthen their self-esteem to overcome the barriers they may face in life. Studies have shown that experiential learning can not only instil knowledge in students, but it can also develop their abilities to think critically and apply the knowledge to real-world situations.

Exercise Helps Build New Brain Cells

Exercise not only helps to builds muscle, it builds brain cells as well! Research conducted at Columbia University Medical Center indicates that bouts of aerobic exercise help build new brain cells in a region of the brain known to be affected in the age-related memory decline that begins around age 30 for most humans.

Nurturing Resilience

Michael Ungar in his book Too Safe For Their Own Good says that our children have a deep-rooted psychological need for risk-taking and responsibility- seeking that underlies the maturing process. He argues that children who push the limits (and scare their parents in the process) may also be those who are the ones most ready for life. He explores how to find a balance between keeping our children out of harm’s way while still offering them what they need to experience the thrills that are part of growing up.

Father's Parenting Style Directly Impacts Children's Weight

Australian research indicates that fathers who fail to set limits and say "no" to their 4 – 5 yr old kids are more likely to have overweight or obese children while the mother's parenting style had no impact on their children's weight.

Exercise Builds Strong Brains

A new study by the Medical College of Georgia shows that elementary school children who play vigorously for 20 to 40 minutes a day may be better able to organize schoolwork, do class projects and learn mathematics. Brain scans showed that the children who were exercising appeared to have more neural activity in the frontal areas of their brains, an important area for executive function. Strong associations between math performance and aerobic fitness among elementary-school-age children were found.

Kicking Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has been linked with poor academic ability, physical and mental illness, reduced self-esteem and greatly increases the likelihood of becoming obese as an adult. In this article Dr. Ajmol Ali, School of Sport and Exercise, College of Health, Massey University, focuses on ways that children can increase physical activity and energy expenditure to help reduce this problem.

About Us

Jumping Beans has 26 year history of empowering parents/caregivers to raise happy, healthy and self-regulating children through the provision of preschool activities and learning, giving our kids the head-start in life they deserve.

A heritage New Zealand owned & operated business, at the core of our philosophy is the premise that early childhood education and preschool learning leads to improved physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.